Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-04-28
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

Interesting Memorial Exercises In the Em-
pire State Capitol to the Late Ex-Presi-
dent-Eioquent Tributes by Benjamin #.
brewster and Chauncy M. Depew.
ALBANY, N. Y, April 2L-The exerci ses
in memory Of the late President Arthur,
which were held in the Assembly cham
Der last evening, attracted large and
distinguished audience, including most of
the Senators and Assemblymen and manv
OF their wives; the relatives of
MIR. Arthur, including c. A. Arthur, Jr.,
Miss Ellen Arthu r, James 8. Masten and
Arthur 81. Masten, of Cohoes; Mr.. and
Mrs. j. E. McElroy, Miss Mamie McElroy
and Mr.. W. 81. NICE Troy. Among others
present were Surrogate Rollins of New
York and ex-United States Marshal Nc
Michael. of Washington. The chamber was
simply draped with the National coiors.
A large portrait was placed behind the
Speakers desk.
The meeting was called to order by
Senator Smith, who introduced Governor
Hill as chairman. The Governor, who was
warmly applaud ed, responded N few
words appropriate to the occasion. Adj
dresses were then delivered by ex United
States Acknowledgement Brewster, who
eloquently outlined the ex-President's
exalted career, and by Hon. Chauncey M.
Depew, who paid a high tribute to the
character and achievements of the de-
ceased. In the course of his address Mr..
Depew said: s.
''When the end came for General Gar
field, Arthur entered the W hite House as
he had taken the oath of ofice-alone. A
weaker man would have, succumbed, a
narrower one would have seized upon
the patronage and endeavored to build
up his power by strengthening his
faction Rnt fha I'm f,.o,n Of
Arthur stood in this solemn and critical
hour for patriotism and manliness.
Friends, co-worKers with him in the old
lines, and ass ociates under the old condi-
tons, looking for opportunities, for recog-
milton or for revenge, retired chastened
and enlightened from the President of the
United States. President Arthur will be
distinguished both for what he did and
what he refrained from doing The strain
and Intensity Of public feeling, the
vehemence Of the angry and vindictive
passions Of the time, demanded the
rarest OF negative as we'll as positive
qualities. His calm and even course Of
government allayed all excitement and
appealed to the better Judgment Of the
people. But though not aggressive or
brilliant, his administration was sensible
and strong, and admirably adjusted to the
conditions which created and attended it.
He spoke vigorously for the
reform and improvement of the civil
service, and when Congress, acting upon
his suggestions, enacted the law, he
constructed the machinery for its ex-
ecutlon which has since accom- plished
most satisfactory, though as yet incom-
plete results. On questions of currency
and finance he met the needs Of
the public and private credit and
the best commercial sentiment Of the
country. He knew the necessity for
efficient coast defenses and navy equal
to the requirements of the age. He keen
~ felt the weakness of our merchant
marine and the total destruction of the
proud position we had formerly held
among the maritime nations of the world,
and did what he could to move Congress
to wise and patriotic legislation.
There has rarely been, in the history of
popular governments, 80 great a contrast
in the public appreciation of General
Arthur at the time of his inauguration
and when he retired from office. The
PRECEDENT Of whom little was expected
and much feared returned to private life,
enjoying in larger degree than most of
his predecessors the profound respect and
warm regard of the people without dis
tinction of party.
He said to me early in his administra-
ton: "My sole ambition is to enjoy the
of my countrymen." Toward
this noble ideal he strove with undeviat-
ing purpose. Even in the mistakes he
made could be seen his manly struggle
to be right. Once again in private
station, and resuming the practice of his
profession, he moved among his fellow
receiving the homage and
recognition which came of their pride in
the way he had borne the honors and ad-
ministered the duties Of the chief
of the Republic. In his
last illness he had the sympathy
and prayers of the Nation and the
grand gathering of men most distin guish-
ed in every department Of our public and
private life, who sorrowfu1ly bore him to
the grave, was the solemn tribute of the
whole people through their representa-
tives to his worth as man and his emil
nence as a public servant.